Visas

Today was the day we collected the final paperwork needed to travel to America with the kids. The children's visas were given to us at the US Embassy along with all the paperwork needed at the border to enter the USA. Hoorah!!!!! I CANNOT WAIT TO GET HOME!!!!!

Tina and Dusty just walked over, but Russ walked to the market and Lena, Eric and I cannot get the doors unlocked. If there was ever a fire here we would burn up, because we can't get out. They are going to walk toward the market to see if they can find Russ.

When we were getting our medical exams for the kids and applying for the visas we met some very special people. I wish I would have gotten their blog information. First we met a couple who the is in the US Army and currently stationed in Italy. They have a six year old son and have not been able to have any more children. They shared with us that they came to the realization that the way God had planned for them to grow their family was through adoption. They had been waiting for a year and a half for a child younger than 5 to adopt from the Ukraine when God spoke to them about children with special needs, specifically down syndrome. They contacted Rainbow Adoption Agency who deals with special needs children and within 5 months were now in the Ukraine adopting two babies with down syndrome (an 11 month old baby girl and 14 month old baby boy) and they are planning to come back for more. They shared that they had met six other American couples while here who also were adopting special needs children. Another lady we met was adopting a three year old boy with down syndrome. She has 5 biological children ranging in age 14 months to 12 years. When I ask her what made her decide to adopt she said, "Adoption was never even a thought of mine until my husband and 12 year old daughter did a missions trip in some of the orphanages in Ukraine." She said that as soon as she saw the picture of the little boy they just adopted, God spoke to her telling her, "This child is to be your son." She said she fought against it at first , but God reaffirmed it for her and here she is. What amazing testimonies these people are remarkable. God calls us to care for the fatherless and here they are not only caring for the fatherless, but the castaways of this society. Russ and I were so humbled by these people and their faithful hearts. They are truly an example of unconditional love for God's children. There were surely be a special place in heaven for them.
Since we did not take any pictures today I will post some of the children from the orphanage that we have not yet had opportunity to post. Enjoy.